Superheros don’t all wear capes, masks or have super strength but they do all come from comic books.
“Comics unlocked” is a student led comic book education and creation class that meets every Tuesday from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. in Rupp 203. There have been three class sessions with six to seven students attending so far.
A love of comic books is something senior Contessa Hussong, professional writing major and junior Caleb Joshua Heffron, multimedia journalism major, share in common.
The two teamed up to teach a class called "comics unlocked." Heffron said in this course, he and Hussong explore the history of comics and guide students through creating a comic script. They will earn credit for an independent study by teaching the course.
“During our first day of Echo training week as freshmen, I said my favorite show was ‘Daredevil,’ and she said hers was ‘Moon Knight,’” Heffron said. “We were like, ‘Sweet, comic book people—sounds good.’”
While Hussong and Heffron are both longtime fans of comics, they also have written multiple scripts by themselves.
Heffron said he made three good ones. He praised Hussong for her 17-issue run of her own comic book series, “The Dragon's Heart.”
Hussong's love for comics began early, sparked by her father reading them to her.
“Every night growing up, we’d sit together, and he would tell me about Spider-Man or Thor or the Fantastic Four,” Hussong said. “They’re some of my favorite memories.”
The idea for the class began as a joke. During freshman year, Hussong and Heffron started working on a film script together.
However, because of Hussong's background in writing comic scripts, she thought it would be easier to steer their focus on comics instead.
“We had always been disappointed that there is no comic class at Taylor, or most other universities, for that matter,” Hussong said.
That's when they realized with their combined knowledge, they could teach a class themselves.
Hussong approached her adviser, Linda Taylor, assistant professor of professional writing, to discuss the possibility of teaching a class on comics.
“I loved their passion for the topic of comic books,” Taylor said. “The added piece that sold me is the teaching sessions where they are taking what they’re learning and teaching others.”
Heffron said that once Taylor approved the class, Hussong and Heffron had a lot of work to do.
The two of them drafted a syllabus, presented it to Taylor and consistently met with her to discuss what the class would look like.
“So this has been in preparation for about 10 months, probably of the class itself, and it finally got to come to fruition this semester,” Heffron said.
Since the class has started and Hussong and Heffron have had some experience in teaching, they are finding a rhythm.
“It is really cool to be in a position where you don't just get to learn about something you love, but you get to share it with other people in a semi-professional setting,” Heffron said. “It's really (a) good teaching experience for both of us in learning how to work with each other but also how to lead other people.”
Hussong said the class stems from the ability to share one of her biggest passions with a close friend, Heffron.
Growing up, she never had any friends who shared her love of comic books. Now that she is graduating this year, she said it's a great way to end her time at Taylor, alongside a friend she met through this shared passion.
Hussong said her favorite part of the whole thing has been presenting. She believes it has gone very smoothly so far and that she and Heffron balance each other well.
“I’m so grateful for his heart and the energy he puts into each session,” Hussong said. “There’s no one I’d rather lead a class with.”
The class is open to anyone interested in learning more about comic book history or the process of making one.
